"Kigali Status Report: Building Hope with eLearning Africa - Follow the Numbers"

At the heart of Africa's educational transformation lies #eLearning Africa, a dynamic global network and conference dedicated to ICT-supported education and training across the continent. Since its inception in 2005, eLearning #Africa has served as a vital platform for educators, trainers, technology specialists, policymakers, investors, and other stakeholders to come together. It's not just any conference; it's the event where passionate educators and tech enthusiasts gather to debate, discuss, and occasionally argue over the future of education in Africa—all while sipping coffee, battling jet lag, and enjoying some of the best parties any conference has to offer.

Allow me to rightfully recognise Harold Elletson, an esteemed member of the eLearning Africa Community for 17 years and former British parliamentarian, played a crucial role in shaping the organization. His most notable contribution was the annual eLearning Africa Debate, a session he chaired with great enthusiasm and skill. Harold's dedication and leadership were instrumental in making the debate the most popular session at the conference. His passing marked a significant loss to the community, and I am honored to take over this important role.

During my recent talk in Kigali, I emphasized the critical role of Africa's high population growth rate. For instance, Niger has a population growth rate of 4.15%, Angola 3.27%, Burundi 3.21%, Malawi 3.11%, and Uganda 3.05% (World Bank, 2024). These figures underscore the dynamic demographic landscape of our continent, and we need to keep this up.

This #population growth presents a unique opportunity. Africa is blessed with abundant natural and human resources that can support expansion and meet the continent's needs. With strategic investments in education and technology, Africa can emerge as a net exporter of human resources and manufactured products to the rest of the world. For example, #Nigeria and #Kenya are already becoming prominent tech hubs, driving global innovation and technological advancement. In 2023, Nigeria's tech industry contributed over $2 billion to the country's GDP, showcasing its growing impact (World Economic Forum, 2023).

The integration of new frontier technologies into our education systems is crucial for preparing our youth for the future job market and enhancing learning outcomes. Africa is the youngest continent globally, with over 60% of its population under the age of 25. Strengthening our educational infrastructure to effectively incorporate these technologies is imperative. This approach will allow us to unlock our full potential and achieve sustainable development across Africa.

For instance, the African #EdTech market is rapidly growing, with an expected market size of over $1 billion by 2024. Countries like Nigeria and Kenya are leading the way in adopting EdTech solutions, which have been shown to improve learning outcomes and provide access to quality education, especially in underserved areas. In Kenya, the government's #Digital Literacy Program has equipped over 22,000 primary schools with digital devices, benefiting millions of students (World Bank, 2023).

Moreover, integrating technologies such as artificial intelligence (#AI), virtual reality (#VR), and #blockchain into the curriculum can provide students with practical skills and prepare them for the jobs of the future. By 2025, the AI market in Africa is projected to reach $46 billion, highlighting the potential for innovation and economic growth (McKinsey & Company, 2023).

Looking ahead, governments do embrace these frontier technologies into all stages our curriculum from ECD to PhD. This shift will be the game-changer that transforms the income prospects of 75% of our current population from an average of 2 USD per day to 20 USD per day within a decade (United Nations Development Programme, 2023). This economic transformation is already lifting millions out of poverty but also spur economic growth across the continent and the world. Together, with our global network of professionals, we are already elevating #ICT-supported education and training to new heights, ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for Africa.

Many spots are present all over Africa, just look around. The Gods have spoken, and the train left the station, our potential, to self innovate, and lead in the global arena is on. Africa's light is shining, as Laila Macharia, says "skilled people are Africa's gift to the world"